Sexual Selection and Human Reproductive Behaviour

Question 1

who proposed the theory of sexual selection

Answer 1

Darwin

Question 2

what is sexual selection

Answer 2

selection of characteristics which aid successful reproduction. May be a sign of genetic fitness for females or to provide advantage over male competitors

Question 3

what is anisogamy

Answer 3

the differences between male and female gametes

Question 4

anisogamy: what are male gametes like

Answer 4

small, highly mobile, created continuously in vast numbers throughout entire life span and do not need much energy to be produced

Question 5

anisogamy: what are female gametes like

Answer 5

large, static, produced a intervals for a limited number of fertile years and require significant investment of energy

Question 6

why is anisogamy important

Answer 6

means men and women chose their partner’s differently
(Intra and inter sexual selection)

Question 7

what is inter- sexual selection

Answer 7

making mate choices based on characteristics of the other gender.
- used by females as due to the greater investment in time energy and resources for them to raise a child, they need to be more selective with who they chose

Question 8

how does Clark and Hatfield’s research support how women are more likely to use inter-sexual selection and be more choosy

Answer 8

They asked male and female student volunteers to approach opposite sex students individually on a university campus, asking the same question: ‘I’ve noticed you around the campus. I find you very attractive. Will you go to bed with me tonight?’ They found marked gender differences in the responses: 75% of male students agreed; however, not a single female said ‘yes’.